Sheriff’s Office, NWS urges residents prepare for “strongest storms of the season”

January 25, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — With forecasters from the National Weather Service and other weather specialists warning of the possibility of severe winter weather this week, residents are being urged to expect a “strong, high-impact storm” to begin around late Tuesday and continue through Friday. Following the forecast and strong warnings, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office today urged area residents to be prepared for the worst.

“The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to monitor changing weather conditions by listening to local media, update their plans and supply kits, and pay close attention to winter weather watches, warnings and advisories,” Shasta County Sheriff’s Community Education Specialist/Public Information Officer Tim Mapes said of the pending storms.

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With forecasters predicting “the strongest storms of the season”, Mapes said area residents can expect heavy rain and snow throughout the North State region, with the potential for snow on the valley floor.

Due to the heavy predicted snowfall, unnecessary mountain travel is strongly discouraged, and the Weather Service went on to say that in some areas travel will be “very difficult to impossible”, and that snow accumulations of 2 to 4 feet above 1500 feet, with localized amounts up 5 to 6 feet above 4500 feet, are possible.

Emergency officials suggested that if you must travel during the expected bad weather, especially in the mountain regions, remember to first inspect your vehicles before heading out, carry snow chains and a shovel, as well as an emergency bag that includes food, water, and other essentials.

While driving, remember to leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles and, if driving on snow or ice-covered roadways, reduce your speed dramatically. If roadway conditions worsen, do not try to keep driving. Find a safe place to pull off the roadway and remain in your vehicle. Also, do not set out on foot for help unless you can see a building close by where you can take shelter.

Mapes also warned that due to Shasta County’s recent wildfires, residents are advised to be aware of the possibility of flash flooding and debris flows in areas that have burned.

“Following a wildfire, the terrain is dramatically altered so even light rain can cause flash flooding,” Mapes cautioned.

To ensure you are ready for the pending storm and future inclement weather conditions, Mapes suggested you can:

Always keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food in your home.
Check on the elderly and those who need assistance to make sure they are prepared.
Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.
Dress warmly and wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
Properly vent kerosene heaters and ensure any electric generators are operated outside and
away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, remember to never burn charcoal indoors.
Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to monitor changing weather conditions.
Keep alternative heating sources and fire extinguishers on hand and be sure your family knows how to use them.
Store an emergency kit in your vehicle, which should include food and water, along with a scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, road map, and other essentials.
Make an emergency supplies kit for your pet and include medical records, first-aid kit, enough canned/dry food and water for three to seven days, and a pet travel bag or carrier.
Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time.

For updated weather conditions and alerts, visit National Weather Service. More information on flood safety can be found here.

This article sponsored by:

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For all the latest, often up to the minute coverage of Shasta County crimes, accidents, incidents and emergencies, along with traffic, travel, and weather alerts, community awareness posts, news articles and so much more, visit Redding Crime and Community Alert Shasta County on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/JKknottygrill — Following all current State mandates and restrictions on dining, JK’s Knotty Grill, located inside The Shasta Inn in Mt. Shasta, remains open for outdoor dining and pickup orders. With a new expanded Take-Out menu, including crowd favorites such as JK’s Signature Knotty Klucker, Blackened Salmon with lemon jasmine rice and steamed veggies, and Grilled Pesto Chicken Salad with Tzatziki dressing, JK’s Knotty Grill is the place to go for extraordinary comfort foods and a large selection of beers, wines, and other beverages. For more information, visit JK’s Knotty Grill online or on Facebook or give them a call at (530) 859-8533.

https://www.facebook.com/Chatty-Kathys-591429164717427 — *Recently recognized by Enjoy magazine for one of the North State’s top ten best burgers,* Chatty Kathy’s serves mouth watering burgers, talk-of-the-town sandwiches, delicious milk shakes and a variety of ice creams. Located just east of Burney in Johnson Park, Chatty Kathy’s is run by local resident Kathy Ragsdale, who says, “We’ve been in the food business for 20 years and have met a lot of great people who have touched our hearts. We serve our meals with special pride; making sure all our customers are happy and full and get what they ordered.”

*For more information about Junior’s Westside Auto Sales visit them on* Facebook or online.https://www.juniorswestside.com/

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Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS). Additionally, he writes for or has written for several other news organizations; including Mountain Echo in Shasta County, Riverside County-based newspapers, Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.